Old MacDonald’s Method for Creating Engaging Content

Okay, previously, the discussion was around the differences between “Big C” (Content Marketing) Content and little c content – how focusing on customers’ higher-order needs helps to ensure that communication is relevant, engaging, and will be acted upon by customers.

Like many mysteries in life, there’s both an art and a science to creating engaging Content.

First, the science: all Content must serve objectives.

Great, you say; I need to create reach or consideration, or increase sales or referrals – just show me how Content can help me reach my objectives.

But here’s the twist in the science: content (small c) may help in achieving your objectives, but Content (Big C) is created when you focus on serving your customers’ objectives.

Customers’ Objectives?

Yes. Your Customers’ objectives – while they map back to your overall brand marketing or business objectives, it’s important to place these objectives in terms of customers and their points of view. No customer goes out to ‘increase reach’ or ‘increase sales’ – but they do need to become aware or gain a sense of reassurance. C.A.R.E. ™ — Customer Acquisition and Retention through Engagement, a proprietary strategic framework from Nutlug, maps the stages a customer goes through in her journey with a brand, and as a basis of viewpoint, pairs marketing objectives with corresponding customer goals.

If content is created to address customer goals (Objectives), then it’s well on the way to becoming “Big C” Content .

But there’s more. Just because content is geared to address Customer objectives doesn’t mean it’s necessarily engaging. Customers have to enjoy it, learn something from it, be motivated by it, shown how to do something by it.

Short of market researching absolutely every blog post, every upload, every bit of “small c” content you create to gauge its likelihood to engage your customers, there is a simple checklist passed down from folksong lore to serve as a litmus test of sorts, to make sure your content is on the right track.

It’s called Old MacDonald’s Method for Engaging Content.

And here’s how the little ditty goes:

First and foremost, your Content needs to be ENTERTAINING. This might seem logical, but in the scope of the world wide web, there’s a glut of customer options containing a flood of content that isn’t. There’s really no sure fire formula for creating something that’s entertaining (or viral, for that matter), but it’s safe to start with placing oneself in the customer’s shoes and determining what’s entertaining to him or her. Knowing your audience and creating robust customer personas is a good first step.

Next, check to see if your Content is INFORMATIONAL. Allow your customers to experience the breadth of your knowledge on the subjects and topics that likely have drawn them to you in the first place. This is really the key to in-bound marketing – creating Content that informs your customers in the higher order need areas they require. Thought leadership is built around informational Content.

The other E in the “methodology” is EDUCATIONAL. Yes, this is indeed different from Informational – it takes information to the next step by explaining and showing your customer how-to with your Content. Some of the very best B-to-B Content is focused on being educational. There is always an underlying fear of offering too much education to customers that they won’t need to purchase your products or services; do your best to ignore this irrational ghost. If a wireless router manufacturer provides a three minute video on how to set up a wireless router, I’ve been educated…but will still need the product (and likely the services to have someone do it right for me!).

The other I stands for INSPIRATIONAL. Often the overlooked element to Big C Content, persuasive storytelling goes well beyond ‘selling’ – along with offering entertaining content that informs and educates, Content also gives the pep talk, the slap on the back, the kick in the rear that urges the customer to do something. Case studies play well in this sandbox – showing how another small business owner leveraged social networking to increase referrals, for example, can lead to inspire others to follow. Inspiration’s muse is often emotional, but founded in rational Content, particularly when it helps achieve the aforementioned higher-order needs.

It doesn’t stand for okay (as in ‘Okay, I can see where you’re going with this E-I-E-I-O thing, Keith) – but it refers back to the Customer OBJECTIVES discussed earlier. Efforts can be entertaining, informational, educational, and inspirational… and still not be Big C Content. Adhering to customer objectives (and yes, they do tie in with your brand’s objectives as well) is the key note in our tune. Otherwise, it’s just E-I-E-I….

One response to “Old MacDonald’s Method for Creating Engaging Content”

The only reason that I am participating….the old skippimg song has been replaying itself in my head for the last three days…I had begu to hum to the little tune, but could not for the life of me remember the words !
THEN in a flash it came to me at two A.M.
Ole McDonald had a farm, EIEIO ect………………..